Joy Simmons

Joy Nielsen Simmons, 91, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 18, 2025, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community.

Joy was born on April 30, 1934, to Joseph L. Nielsen and Margaret Carlyle Nielsen. She was the only daughter with two older brothers, Vaughn and Gary. She had a happy childhood playing with her cousin, Barbara. She grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls, and was part of the first graduating class of Bonneville High School in 1952. It was quite a year with Iona, Ammon, and Ucon consolidating– she made a lot of new friends.

Joy was married to Gary Simmons for 20 years. They had two children, Susan and John. They dry farmed and Joy worked very hard. She cooked three meals a day as well as a regular afternoon snack. She was always busy cleaning, shopping, and serving in her church callings.

Joy loved water skiing, snow skiing, golfing, shopping, and her friends. She always loved going to Salt Lake City to shop.

Joy worked at the Idaho Falls Stockyards on Wednesdays for years. Then, she decided she wanted to be a realtor and sold homes. She took a short break from selling homes to travel and sell for Beauty For All Seasons. She was ambitious. In 1986, she went back to real estate and opened her own Real Estate office which was called Green Tree Realty, where she worked for 37 years. Joy loved traveling, too. She loved living in Australia, San Francisco, and Sun Valley, as well. Joy made friends everywhere she went, including many at Fairwinds. Joy loved playing Bridge and looked forward to it every week.

She was the president of the Idaho Falls Exchange Club, who helped abused children and those who needed help in court or counseling in conjunction with CASA. She also belonged to a PEO Chapter AA, who helped raise funds for women who couldn’t afford to get an education. She loved being able to give back to the community.

Joy is survived by her children, Susan (Blaine) Richins, and John Simmons; sister-in-law, Gail Nielsen; cousin, Barbara Nield; 4 grandchildren, Mark (Janeen), Scott (Camille) Linda (Jamie) Crystal (Keith); 12 great-grandchildren, Molly, Kate, Lauren, Kaylie, Alice, Mayah, Gavin, Hayden, Desi, Paisley, Luke, and Beau. Joy had a lot of good friends and she was a good friend to many, especially Renae Wuska, Anita Ferrin, Daveen Haderlie Davis, and Mary Schwieder. Joy loved her dogs, Kelcey and Belle.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and sister-in-law, Pauline Nielsen.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue in Idaho Falls.